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Rutgers vs New Mexico: Did you notice...

Janarion Grant returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers held off New Mexico by a final score of 37-28 on Saturday and in the midst of the Scarlet Knights' latest win, did you notice...

The smaller kickoff coverage?

The Rutgers kickoff coverage team featured only two linebackers and the rest were skill position players, which included defensive backs, wide receivers and one running back in Josh Hicks. The two linebackers were Tyreek Maddox-Williams and Kevin Marquez as the staff has opted to go with speedier players on this unit. In contrast, the kickoff return team featured four linebackers in Marquez, TJ Taylor, Brandon Russell and Eric Margolis.

The Hamilton spin move?

Darius Hamilton pressured New Mexico quarterback Austin Apodaca on the first pass play of the game, using a spin move to evade a pair of blockers and force a hurry in which he also was able lay a hard hit on Apodaca.

No Najee?

For the third straight week, Greg Jones started at the strongside linebacker position over Najee Clayton, who was not on the sidelines for today’s game.

The DE rotation?

In the first half, Myles Nash and Darnell Davis each came in separately as part of the defensive end rotation. Nash was the first end in while Davis made the most of his reps, chasing down ball carriers to make a couple of tackles on running plays. Nash made one tackle on a running play in which he was unblocked. In the second half, Davis forced a key fumble to thwart New Mexico’s opening drive.

The WR rotation?

Rutgers did not use any wide receivers on offense other than Janarion Grant, Andre Patton and Jawuan Harris through the first half. Tight end Nick Arcidiacono split out when the offense went with four wideouts. In the second half, John Tsimis entered the game in a four wide set in place of Patton, who was shaken up a bit on his second-quarter touchdown catch.

Jackson at guard?

On the second to last drive of the first half, redshirt freshman Jonah Jackson stepped in at right guard for fifth-year senior Chris Muller, who was flagged for a holding call on the previous drive. Muller was pulled earlier this season for a stint against Washington, but then it was Marcus Applefield who stepped in for him.

Bailey and James’ first appearance?

Previously injured sophomore Ronnie James made it back on the field and made a tackle in his first appearance which came on special teams at the end of the second quarter. Freshman Dacoven Bailey made his first defensive appearance at cornerback late in the second quarter when New Mexico was going heavy with the pass to close out the half.

The Youth Package?

In the second half, Rutgers went heavy on youth in the secondary as three freshmen were part of a third-down sub package. True freshmen Dacoven Bailey, Damon Hayes and K.J. Gray were all in at the same time.

Margolis for Morris?

Linebacker Eric Margolis took over at the weakside linebacker for Trevor Morris in the fourth quarter as Morris had a very quiet game through three quarters. Morris would return on the next defensive series and remain in for the rest of the game.

Lack of confidence in kicking?

The RU coaching staff showed a lack of confidence in its field goal unit when it decided to punt with the ball on the New Mexico 28-yard line with 10 minutes to play in the final quarter. The would-be field goal attempt also would have been going with the wind.

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